About Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus (Greek hudrokephalon, from hudro- ‘water’ + kephalē ‘head’) is a chronic condition involving the nervous system that affects over one million people of all ages in North America. It occurs due to an imbalance between the production rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), within the brain’s fluid cavities, and the reabsorption of this fluid back into the bloodstream, resulting in an abnormal accumulation of CSF within the head. This causes elevated pressure in the brain which interferes with blood circulation. It typically requires surgical treatment to insert a shunt or create a third ventriculostomy.
Our Unique Approach
The Division of Pediatric Neurological Surgery has long and extensive experience in managing hydrocephalus in infants, children and adults. As there is currently no curative treatment for this condition, our division remains committed to managing the patients it treats, regardless of their age. It also has a commitment to managing complications caused by hydrocephalus treatment. We are specifically recognized for our expertise in managing chronic headaches that can arise in patients whose hydrocephalus is managed with a shunt; in fact, we have published a number of scientific papers on the use of pressure monitoring to understand the relationship between abnormal pressures within the head and headaches. The Division has also engaged in the development of noninvasive techniques to identify individuals with hydrocephalus who are at risk for developing complications as a result of their treatments.
Special Magnetic Resonance Elastography
Individuals with shunted hydrocephalus are at risk for developing chronic, debilitating headaches. This problem has long been a special interest of our division, and we have published a number of scientific articles on this subject. We are currently engaged in the research and development of special magnetic resonance imaging (MRE or magnetic resonance elastography) to quantify alterations in the brain’s physical properties that result from chronic shunting.